Letter To The Editor:Councilman Mayoka Speaks Out On Highway Superintendent Issue

On July 24, 2012 Supervisor Petrone and Councilmembers Mark Cuthbertson and Susan Berland put forward legislation to eliminate the elected position of Superintendent of Highways.  Petrone, Cuthbertson and Berland want to make the position of Superintendent of Highways an appointed position.  By making the Superintendent of Highways an appointed position we the voters lose an independent advocate for the safety and improvement of our roads and drainage systems.

Supervisor Petrone and Councilmembers Cuthbertson and Berland have pushed for an early public hearing which they have scheduled for August 14, 2012 at 7:00 P. M. at Town Hall.  While many residents may not be able to attend, we encourage everyone to write or e-mail your views on this major change to the structure of Town services.

State statute requires that all towns have a Superintendent of Highways whether elected or appointed.  The Superintendent of Highways is responsible for preparing an annual budget, the general maintenance of the Town’s highways, bridges, sidewalks, coverts and ditches.  The Superintendent of Highways is not separated by layers of bureaucracy to the men and women who actually perform the work.  The Superintendent of Highways is accountable directly to the voters of the Town of Huntington and not a majority political party in control of local government.

A cost savings analysis of all Town Departments is in order to promote efficiency and save tax dollars.  If the existence of an elected Highway Superintendent is shown to be cost prohibitive, let’s give the voters a voice in eliminating that position or not.  This can be accomplished by awaiting the determinations of the State Audit taking place right now.

A more thoughtful consideration of this matter should have preceded the introduction of the Local Law to abolish the elected office of Superintendent of Highways.

Please write, call or e-mail your comments to:

Huntington Town Hall

100 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743

Mark Mayoka – 631-351-3175

mmayoka@huntingtonny.gov

Gene Cook – 631-351-3174

ecook@Huntingtonny.gov

We look forward to your comments on this important matter.

Sincerely,

Councilman Mark Mayoka